CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT

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​Dr. Adrina Patterson is a Shift Concussion management certified provider.   Following the Shift model of care,

Dr. Patterson provides;

Individual baseline testing

What is baseline testing?
Baseline testing is testing that we perform before the start of an athletic season to look at your balance, your vision and vestibular system as well as your gait, strength, coordination, and neurocognitive function.  We also us as a computerized test, called the ImPACT test as part of the process, which measures reaction time, memory and processing speed.


Should you have a concussion part way through the season, it helps serve as your normal value, and gives us a goal to help track your recovery. it also helps us determine your readiness to return to play and also assess your level of post injury impairment. 

How often should I have a baseline test done?

How long does it take? 
Baseline testing will take approximately 1 hour.

Post Concussion Care
What is a concussion?

 
What should I do if I have a concussion?
 
What is the next step?
 
What if I didn’t have a baseline test done prior to my concussion?
That’s OK.  We’ll conduct thorough in-office testing to determine where you are now and what impact the concussion may have had on your vision, you neck, your balance, your vestibular system and more. 

We’ll also conduct a post concussion ImPACT test,  which is a neurocognitive test.
This information, together with your health history helps determine our path forward. You can find the Concussion related health history forms and questionnaires, under the New Patient and Client forms section of our website. 
Your concussion care often involves:
  • Modifications and accommodations for at home, work and/or school
  • Vision exercises
  • Vestibular exercises
  • Balance exercises
  • Exertional exercises
  • Cervical spine rehabilitation, this could include, spinal mobilization, adjustments, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, traction, acupuncture, laser therapy etc.
  • Home exercise programs
  • Referrals to other specialists such as a neurologist, neuroptometrist,  neuropthamologist, etc.
  • Referrals to other health care providers for additional co-management.

How long will my initial visit take?
For a  post concussion initial appointment, including your ImPACT test, your appointment will take approximately 2.5 hours.
Follow-up appointments will vary from 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Reassessments will take 75 minutes to 90 minutes.
The fee schedule for concussion management, due to the length and complexity of the appointments varies from regular clinic appointments.

How long will it take me to feel like myself again?
The good news is 80% of patients who have a concussion with proper initial concussion management will return to their baseline within 2 to 4 weeks.

Post Concussion Syndrome
 If you have sustained multiple concussions, or if you have had long standing symptoms from a concussion not diagnosed or not managed properly, or if you have another concussion within 5 to 10 days of sustaining your first concussion, in addition to several other red flags, such as severity of initial symptoms and more, it will often take longer to recover. It could take a few months, and in  some instances 6 months or up to a year.
 
Dr. Patterson is a member of Kingston Concussion Alliance. 
Kingston Concussion Alliance offers an integrative approach to concussion care.  In the spring of 2016, several Kingston area clinicians partnered together in the formation of Kingston Concussion Alliance.  Working together we strive to provide concussion education  and management to Kingston and the surrounding areas. 

​Members of the Kingston Concussion Alliance are happy to  come to speak to your group or organization about concussions and concussion management. 
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